Fox News: Kerry, Edwards to debate via sattelite, but Lieberman shut out ?

[JI7]

fox news reported that kerry and edwards wil debate via sattelite today. but they shut lieberman out of it. what's up with that ? no matter how much you may not like lieberman. and i personally like him though disagree with him on some things. you have to admit that it's unfair.

[Khephra]

1. Did you hear that he was shut out?

Lieberman may have refused to participate for a variety of reasons.

[JI7]

2. that's what fox says, and that he is upset

they haven't actually given a report yet. but just gave some preview of what they will report. and said how kerry and edwards will debate via sattelite, but lieberman was "shut out". those are the words fox used. and they said lieberman was upset about it. but it is fox so take the news with that in mind. i'm sure other sources will report on it if you want confirmation and if it's true.

[Khephra]

3. It's actually a bit of his own fault

Democrats exclude Lieberman from satellite feed of debate

By RON FOURNIER
AP Political Writer
November 24, 2003

Sen. Joe Lieberman wants to debate after all. And he's crying foul at the Democratic National Committee for excluding him from a presidential faceoff Monday.

The Connecticut senator, who is not competing in Iowa's caucuses, had rejected an invitation to attend the Des Moines debate sponsored by the DNC. Eight other candidates had agreed to attend.

Later, Sens. John Edwards of North Carolina and John Kerry of Massachusetts said they could not be here because the Senate is debating a GOP-backed Medicare bill they both oppose. The DNC agreed to allow them to participate by satellite from a Washington studio. Two television screens will show Edwards and Kerry on stage, alongside six rivals who will be there in person.

Lieberman, who also opposes the Medicare bill, asked to participate by satellite as well. The DNC consulted with the other campaigns, at least two of which said he should not be allowed to take part.

more..........
http://www.tuscaloosanews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20031124/APA/311240611

[JI7]

5. well that makes a bit more sense

should not be surprised fox didn't mention that part. i'm still not sure whether he should be allowed to attend though. i can understand their side now. but maybe lieberman could say he did n't know he had the choice of doing it through sattelite and that's why he didn't plan to attend. whatever the case. i don't think it will matter much. i don't even watch these debates anymore really.

[sandnsea]

14. "He rejected an invitation to attend" #3

Could you guys read the above news article before starting wild accusations against other campaigns.

[sandnsea]

4. He hadn't planned to attend

Lieberman pulled out of the Iowa race and wasn't planning on attending this debate at all. Then the debate gave Kerry & Edwards the satellite thing and Lieberman got bent out of shape. They made an accommodation for Kerry & Edwards because of the fillibuster. There would just no legitimate reason to offer Lieberman a satellite linkup.

[wheresthemind]

6. satilite?

I think its good these guys are doing their jobs in the Senate right now but, I think this debate will suck with two people on satilite.

[sandnsea]

7. Totally agree

I was looking forward to a debate with a few less candidates. Oh well.

[gmoney]

8. Is this being televised?

I've seen several stories and references to the debate, but can't find any information on it actually being televised nationally. Is this strictly for Iowa voters, or will it be carried nationally on Faux or MSNBC or something?

And if Lieberman's not campaigning in Iowa, it makes sense not to have him participate in the Iowa debate. Besides, it's not as if he'll actually say anything...

[slinkerwink]

9. it's being shown at 4pm EST, and then recast at 9pm EST on MSNBC

That sucks about Lieberman though.

[tsipple]

10. I Wonder Which "Two Campaigns" Shut Lieberman Out?

That would be really interesting information. I think the guy's allowed to change his mind and take advantage of the same deal Kerry and Edwards got.

[ShaneGR]

11. It's because he pulled out of Iowa

I would guess.

[slinkerwink]

12. doesn't make sense---clark's going to be there and he pulled out of iowa

[tsipple]

13. Bingo

If Clark is at the debate, Lieberman ought to be, too -- with the same arrangements as were made for Kerry and Edwards. It's only fair. Besides, Clark has changed his mind lots of times on debates. (Speaking engagement conflicts were cleared up in his case.)

I don't like the idea of a mere two campaigns successfully excluding a candidate.

[xultar]

15. But Clark is actually coming to the debate, he didn't reject the

invitation. Satellite time cost big dough to set up and to use. If Joe rejected the invite and then can't even show up in person then he should be shut out. Joe doesn't have work in the senate, he has campaigning and fundraising scheduled.

Plus the DNC set up the NH debate on one day so Clark set up a fundraiser on the very next day. Then the DNC changed the date to the exact day of his fundraiser to accomodate some campaigns and then contacted Clark afterwards. Then he said he couldn't make it but his fundraisers moved the event back to the original day they had it scheduled. Now he can attend. The DNC has screwed Clark also.

So, if Clark had to change his fundraiser then Joe should change his. The debate has been set for a long time. The DNC didn't flip flop the debate date.

[tsipple]

16. Ah, But Kerry and Edwards Getting Satellite

Once you cross that bridge, you have to let all candidates make the same arrangements under the same circumstances.

That's all Lieberman wants. He's one of the nine, he polls fairly well nationally (and leads in a couple states), so he deserves a spot, even if he changes his mind (as Clark has done repeatedly).

If there's no satellite option for any of the candidates, then Lieberman shouldn't get it. But since Kerry and Edwards are getting the video screens, Lieberman should get one, too, if necessity dictates. (He's a Senator participating in the same debate, so he should get his satellite.)

Or pull the satellite from all three candidates. But don't single out Joe Lieberman.

[dfong63]

18. lieberman declined the original invitation,

... so he should stop whining. just because he changed his mind, doesn't mean the organizers should have to accommodate him.

[LizW]

17. I think it's wrong

First of all, it punishes Lieberman for doing something that desperately needs doing, fighting the medicare bill in the Senate. Second, it is unfair to shut him out if Clark is going to be there. Third, it just looks petty and opportunistic to let other campaigns decide whether JL should get to participate or not.

I say this without knowing which other campaigns vetoed his participation by satellite. It just looks bad.

Are all the others going to be there? Kucinich, Sharpton, Mosley-Braun?